f BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
k OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
Teaching License of ) ORDER OF REPRIMAND
KAREN DEE RABINOWICH ) AND PROBATION
)

On or about June 7, 2000, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
(Commission) received a report from Dan Weeks, Superintendent, Adrian Public
Schools, indicating that Karen Rabinowich failed to maintain an appropriate
professional student-teacher relationship by demonstrating or expressing professionally
inappropriate interest in a student's personal life. On April 2, 2001, the same students

w mother alleged that Ms. Rabinowich violated the District's Letter of Direction issued May
/ 15, 2000, in this matter. The Districts investigation did not find sufficient evidence to
support the allegation. On May 30, 2001, Ms. Rabinowich resigned herteaching
position with the Adrian School District.

Ms. Rabinowich fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After
review of the matters alleged, Ms. Rabinowich and the Commission agree that their
respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
certain facts, a public reprimand and a two (2) year period of probation. Ms. Rabinowich
understands that the probation will be subject to specific conditions. This Order sets
forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to be imposed. In
entering into this stipulation, Ms. Rabinowich waives the right to a hearing to contest the
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order set forth below.

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

' This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the
Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Ms. Rabinowich nor
the Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Ms. Rabinowich retains all rights
to a hearing on the allegations.

STIPULATION OF FACTS

1. Ms. Rabinowich holds an Oregon Basic Teaching License with a Standard
Language Arts Endorsement effective February 22, 2001, to December 12, 2003.
There are no prior complaints on file with the Commission.

2. Ms. Rabinowich was employed by Adrian Public Schools as a Language Arts
Teacher at Adrian Middle School from September 1998 until her resignation effective

Q May 30, 2001. Ms. Rabinowich had no prior experience as a licensed educator in
Oregon.

2. During the 1999-2000 school year MH, a male student, was attending Adrian
Middle School enrolled in Ms. Rabinowich’s class.

3. During the 1999-2000 school year Ms. Rabinowich engaged in writing overly
personal letters to male student MH. His mother found one of these letters in his
pocket while doing laundry and reported it to the District.

4. MH was removed from Adrian Public Schools by his parents and home
schooled for the balance of the 1999-2000 academic year.

5. On May 15, 2000, the District issued a Letter of Direction to Ms. Rabinowich
for improper conduct in writing overly personal notes/letters to a student and failure to

. keep her door open when alone with students.

Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

’ 6. Ms. Rabinowich admits that she failed to maintain an appropriate professional
student-teacher relationship with MH.
7. Ms. Rabinowich accepts responsibility for her behavior. She is aware of and
remorseful for her failure to set appropriate professional student-teacher boundaries
and acknowledges her behavior was inappropriate.
CONCLUSION 0F LAW
Ms. Rabinowich‘s behavior constitutes serious and material inattention to and
breach of professional responsibilities in failing to maintain an appropriate professional
student-teacher relationship in violation of OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(A).
IT IS SO STIPULATED:
$248111] Qw £24m‘ tm' A 0259497
’ Karen De Rabinowich Date
@gg' ' QAQEK/T 3H [0 I
David V. yton, xecutive Director Date
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
ORDER
Based upon the foregoing the Commission imposes a Public Reprimand on
Karen Rabinowich. This Stipulation of Facts, Order of Reprimand and Probation
constitute the reprimand. Furthermore, the Commission imposes a (2) year probation ‘
upon Ms. Rabinowich subject to the following conditions:
1. Ms. Rabinowich shall, at her own expense, seek the assistance of a qualified
' counselor approved in advance by the commission, regarding appropriate professional
boundaries. Such counseling shall include at least eight (8) one-hour sessions. j
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION i

. Ms. Rabinowich will provide the counselor with a copy 0f this Order and the District's
report to the Commission. The counselor will provide the Commission with a report of
successful program completion.

2. Ms. Rabinowich shall comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical
Performance under Chapter OAR 584, Division O20.

3. Ms. Rabinowich shall provide information as requested by the Commission to
verify that he has complied with the conditions of probation, including a statement from
a future employing district that he has complied with the Standards for Competent and
Ethical Performance under Chapter OAR 584, Division 020.

Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for
the Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Ms.

. Rabinowich’s teaching license, subject to Ms. Rabinowich’s right to a hearing on the
issue of whether she violated probation.

Dated this way of September 2001

TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
By1Ml__—_
David V. Myton, Executive Director
Approved as to form:
43

. Attorney for Karen Dee Rabinowich

Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION